Medical service unit



March 11, 1969 MEDICAL SERVICE UNIT Sheet Filed Sept.

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Marchvll, 1969 R. c. HETTLINGER ET AL MEDICAL SERVICE UNIT Sheet Filed Sept. 8, 1965 2A YMoMo c. #5274 Ill/6E2 205527 L. SM/JW INVENTORS March 11, 1969 HETTLINGER ET AL MEDICAL SERVICE UNIT j of 5 Sheet Filed Sept. 8. 1965 2 .5 6 vi w mm, m we r s A M R2 w 9 E F United States Patent 3,431,937 MEDICAL SERVICE UNIT Raymond C. Hettlinger, Evergreen Park, Ill., and Robert L. Smith, Louisville, Ky., assignors to Chemetron Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 485,724

U.S. Cl. 137355.16 18 Claims Int. Cl. F16l 3/16; A61m /14 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A telescoping type medical service unit adapted to be supported from the ceiling of a room and reciprocated by a fluid operating force. Preferably, a vacuum is employed as such force. Control and brake means are carried by the reciprocating member which may also provide outlets and attachments for various types of equipment.

This invention relates in general to a power operated medical service unit. More particularly, this invention relates to a telescoping type medical service unit which is moved upwardly and downwardly by fluid power means and is designed to carry and securely position medical administration equipment.

Typical of the type of devices concerned with in this invention is that described by J. R. in Mays, U.S. 3,032,- 057. The Mays unit includes counterweight means and is manually moved upwardly and downwardly. There is not presently available a telescoping type medical service unit which can be mechanically raised or lowered without complex mechanical equipment. Mechanisms such as electrical motors have been employed as drive means for such purpose but such are not only costly but can be a hazard in an operating room where flammable anesthetics are administered unless precautions are taken to use nonarching switches or motors. Further, when heavy equipment such as an anesthesiology machine is desired to be attached to a telescoping-type medical service unit, positive braking or holding must be provided at all heights. None of the currently available medical service units provide such a positive locking means operable in conjunction with a safe raising or lowering mechanism.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a medical service unit which can be telescoped with a minimum amount of eifort. It is another object of the present invention to provide a medical service unit wherein the driving mechanism employed to raise and lower the unit is completely safe. It is still another object of this invention to provide a service unit which will safely lock into any desired position and is operable in conjunction with the drive control mechanism. A still further object is to provide a medical service unit the movement of which is fluid powered from readily available medical piping in a manner that no contamination of the room is effected. Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the medical service unit of the present invention shown with an anesthesiology machine attached thereto.

FIGURE 2 is a view in horizontal section taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a View in side elevation of the unit of FIGURE 1 with side panels removed and parts broken away to better illustrate internal components.

FIGURE 4 is a view like FIGURE 3 with the unit turned 90.

FIGURE 5 is a view in vertical section of one emice bodiment of a braking mechanism employed in the present device.

FIGURE 6 is a view in horizontal section taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a view in side elevation of the preferred braking mechanism of the present service unit.

FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic view of a spool valve mechanism employed to raise and lower the telescoping unit of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of the device as shown in FIGURE 3.

Briefly stated, the medical service unit of the this invention is adapted to be supported from the ceiling of a room and is connected to the usual medical piped utilities such as oxygen, vacuum and electricity. Fluid powered means such as a cylinder with a reciprocating piston head and piston rod therein is supported from the ceiling and a first panel member encloses the cylinder. A second panel member telescopes with respect to the first panel member and is operatively connected to the piston rod. Control means such as a valving member carried by but operable from outside the second panel member is connected to a fluid operating force such as vacuum or air under pressure which when transferred to the upper or lower sides of the piston head causes a movement of the piston head when the opposing side is vented. Braking means is carried by the second panel member and includes a rod for engagement and disengagement by a brake. Linkage is provided to disengage the brake responsive to movement of the valve member.

Proceeding to a detailed description ofthe medical service unit generally indicated at 10, a first generally rectangular stainless steel panel member 11 and a second panel member 12 of the same geometric configuration but of a smaller cross sectional area and also preferably made from stainless steel, telescopes within panel member 11. A mounting plate 13 is provided at the upper end of unit 10 for attaching the unit to a ceiling (not shown). At the lower end of unit 10 and pivotly mounted on the base of panel 12 is a standard anesthesiology machine generally 15 including the usual cylinder of anesthetic gas 16, flow meter 17, absorber 18, vaporizer 19, mask 20 and a breathing bag 21.

As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, housed within panel members Hand 12 is a fluid operated cylinder member 25 having an upper housing 26 secured to mounting plate 13 'by four nuts such as 27'. Tie bolts 28 extend laterally along the cylinder and secure upper housing 26 with lower housing 29. Piston rod 30 extends from the bottom of cylinder '25 and is secured therein in a reciprocating manner having its end portion threaded to receive nut 31 for securing U-shaped beam member 32 thereto. Beam 32 extends between oppositely disposed plate members 35 and 36 and is integrally attached thereto such as by welding. A floor plate 37 integrally joins side plate members 35 and 36 while a third integral side plate 38 completes the three-sided shell for standard oxygen and vacuum outlet boxes 40 and 41, respectively. Suitable openings are provided through plate members 35, 36 and 38 as well as through the adjacent sides of inner panel member 12 to allow connection with medical equipment requiring oxygen and vacuum. Flexible oxygen and vacuum hoses 43 and 44, respectively preferably made from nylon extend from the top of unit 10 to bottom panel 12. Threaded connectors 45 and 46 extend through mounting plate 13 for interconnecting hoses 43 and 44, respectively with piped oxygen and vacuum supply lines. Couplings 48 serve to attach hoses such as 43 and 44 to connectors 45 and 46 as well as lengths of tubing 47 and 49 for ultimate communication with the respective outlet boxes.

A standard three-way spool valve assembly generally is threadably secured to floor or base plate 37 and is operated by means of knob 51 fastened to one end of a cylindrical spool 53 which slides in and is sealably accommodated within hollow tubular body section 54. Spool 53 has two reduced diameter sections 55 and 56. A substantially T-shaped vacuum inlet portion 57 is provided in assembly 50 and includes a main vacuum channel 58 which branches into channels 59 and 60 for communication inside body section 54. A vacuum supply line 61 also of the flexible hose type is connected to inlet portion 57 by means of coupling adaptor 62 at one end and to connector 46 in plate 13 at the other end. Fluid conduit lines 65 and 66 provide communication between the inside of spool assembly 50 and the inside of cylinder 25 through upper and lower housings 26 and 29, respectively. Needle valves 65v and 661 are shown in lines 65 and 66, respectively, and while they are not essential in a vacuum system they do provide speed control by eflecting a fixed rate of ascent or descent of panel member 12. When vacuum and especially air pressure is applied to lines 65 or 66 the same control can be eflected by designing lines 65 and 66 with small diameters. Fluid tight communications is made between conduits 65 and 66 and housings 26 and 29, respectively by fittings 63. Fittings 48 are also provided to connect conduits 65 and 66 to spool valve assembly 50. Spool valve 50 is vented through opening 68 preferably disposed between the entry points of conduits 65 and 66 and channels 59 and 60.

Bolted to the end of spool 53 opposite knob 51 and outside body section 54 is a small bar member 70 which in turn is interconnected in an adjustable manner by bolts 71 to a longer and vertically disposed rod member 72 the upper end of which has ring-like portion 73 for engagement around sleeve 74 of brake assembly generally 75. The downward movement of rod member 72 is limited by an enlarged collar portion 76 at the end of sleeve 74. Rod 78 is internally accommodated by sleeve 74 and is designed to travel along vertically positioned rod 78 which is attached at its upper end to mounting plate 13 by nuts 79. Rod 78 extends downwardly from plate 13 and terminates adjacent lower housing 29 of cylinder 25.

Three ball members 80 are rotatably accommodated in sleeve 74 for contact with rod 78, sleeve 74 thus forming a race for the ball members. The housing portion 82 of brake assembly 75 slides over sleeve 74 and has a flanged portion 83 for contact at one end with a biasing means such a coil spring 85 which is retained at the opposite end by a corresponding flange 86 formed on sleeve 74. Housing 82 is provided with a straight wall portion 81 and a frusto conical portion 88 designed with a taper to frictionally hold ball members 80 between conical portion 88 and rod 78. As best shown in FIGURE 4, a Z-shaped bracket 90 is attached to housing member 82 at the upper end by pin 91 and is bolted at the opposite end to beam 32 by bolt 93.

A braking device generally shown in FIGURE 7 is the preferred braking mechanism for use in the present service unit 10 by reason of its relative simplicity and effectiveness. Braking device 100 is a standard, wellknown, woven strain, relief mechanism sold by the Kellems Company of Stonnington, Conn. The particular braking mechanism comprises a threaded collar 101 for movement over rod 78. A braided wire portion 102 extends from collar 101 and is woven in a manner to frictionally engage rod 78 when no downward force in the direction of collar 101 is applied such as by means of pull rod 72 with ring portion 73 which also freely rides over rod 78. Brake 100 is interconnected with lower panel 12 by Z-shaped bracket 90 which is attached to collar 101 by nut 104.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 a standard anesthesiology machine 15 is pivotly attached to lower panel member 12 and can be moved into any desired position beneath panel member 12 by the double-action pivot mount- Cit ing provided by arm 105 pivoting on stationary post 106 secured to panel 12 and stationary post 107, secured to anesthesiology machine 15, pivoting in arm 105. In addition to the anesthesiology machine 15, oxygen and vacuum outlets 40 and 41, respectively, other accessory equipment can be attached to panel member 12 such as intervenous fluids by means of hooks 110. Further, electrical outlets whether for standard volt capacity or for EEG or EKG equipment is also provided such as at 111 with the necessary electrical connections being made in substantially the same manner as for oxygen and vacuum lines 43 and 44, respectively.

A completely enclosed unit is provided for panel member 11 having a four sided panel structure 11a secured to and enclosed at the top by screws 115. Panel member 12 has three sided wrap-around panel structure 12a attached to plate members 35, 36 and 38 as well as the upturned portion of floor plate 37. Panel structure 12a extends across upturned floor plate 37 a sufficient distance to allow attachment with a laterally extending access panel 12b secured to panel 12a by spring clip 120 as well as screws 121 and 115. A flexible strip 116 extends around the lower edge of panel 11 to assure a seal between panels 11 and 12 and still allow panel 12 to move thereover. A stainless steel plate 118 is sealed by seals 119 across the bottom of panel 12 and held against floor plate 37 such as by threaded hooks 110.

A description of the operation of the service unit 10 with brake device 75 will give a clearer understanding of its novel features and improvements. Assuming the unit to be in a position shown in FIGURE 1 with panel 12 extended from panel 11, knob 51 is moved in a direction toward floor plate 37 until spool 53 assumes a position as shown in'FIGURE 8. In this position and with vacuum line 61 properly attached to a ceiling vacuum source, a vacuum will be pulled on main vacuum channel 58 as well as branches 59 and 60. By the positioning of reduced diameter portion 55 between branch 59 and line 65 the vacuum will be transmitted to line 65 and to the top of piston head 33. This will cause piston head 33 and piston rod 30 to move upwardly with inner panel member 12 which is attached thereto. The upward movement by vacuum on the top of piston head 33 is effected with a vacuum of only about 12" Hg as the underside of piston head 33 is vented through line 66 being in communication with vent port 68 through reduced diameter section 56. When knob 51 was originally moved upwardly, ring portion 73 of rod 72 will also have moved a slightly distance upwardly toward flange portion 83 of brake housing 82 until reduced diameter section 55 provides the previously described communication between lines 58 and 65. However, before any contact is made with portion 83 vacuum will have been applied to the top of piston head 33 to cause bracket 90 also to move upwardly and consequently eflect an upward movement on housing 82 which thereby causes conical portion 88 to move away from balls 80, spring 85 not being compressed sufliciently to cause collar 74 also to move until balls 80 are positioned between the straight wall section 81 of housing 82 and rod 7 8.

When the inner panel has reached the desired height, spool 53 is moved downwardly a short distance so that large diameter section 53:: completely close oft branch 59 while large diameter section 53b still blocks branch 60. In such a position central large diameter section 53c will have moved across vent 68 to close it completely from lines 65 and 66. Because of possible leakage and the downward force exerted upon piston head 33 by inner panel 12 it will move downwardly a slight distance until balls 80 are bound between rod 78 and conical section 88 caused by the downward movement of housing 82 of brake assembly 75.

From the previously described neutral position piston head 33 and consequently panel 12 is moved downwardthereby move sleeve 74 a short distance to position balls 80 between rod 78 and the straight wall portion 81 of housing 82 by means of the compression of spring 85. At the same time, spool 53 will have moved a sufficient distance to place small diameter section 56 between vacuum branch 60 and line 66. Line 65 will now vent that portion of cylinder 25 above piston head 33 b the placement of small diameter section 55 between line 65 and vent 68. As long as a downward force is exerted on collar 76, brake housing 75 as well as inner panel 12 are free to move along rod 78.

When it is desired to stop the downward movement of panel 12, the spool 53 is moved to the previously described neutral position and the upward movement of the spool and the free movement of rod member 72 in conjunction with the downward gravitational tendency of brake assembly 75 will allow balls 80 to again become bound between conical section 88 and rod 78 thereby holding panel 12. Of course, if desired, spool 53 can be moved directly from the downward position to the upward position with only an instantaneous passage through the neutral position.

The operation of spool valve assembly 50 when employing brake assembly 100 is substantially the same as that for assembly 75. Braided wire portion 102 is woven in a manner such that assembly 100 as well as panel 12 is free to move upwardly along rod 78 at any time. All that is required is for small diameter section 55 to be positioned to provide communication between vacuum branch line 59 and line 65 while venting is afforded for line 66 by small diameter section 56 being in simultaneous contact with line 66 and vent 68. When the spool 53 is moved to the previously described neutral position, any downward movement of panel 12 and brake assembly 100 is prevented by braided wire portion 102 frictionally engaging rod 78. To move panel 12 downwardly, a downward movement of spool 53 is effected which will cause a downward movement of rod 72 thus causing braided wire portion 102 to expand against collar 101 and no longer frictionally engaging rod 78. With spool 53 moved to the downward position, movement will continue until the spool is moved upwardly to a neutral position whereby the wire portion 102 will no longer be engaged by rod 72 and ring portion 73 and the braided wire 102 will again engage rod 78.

Brake assembly 100 is preferred in contrast to brake assembly 75 because it has fewer parts. Further, for an eflicient operation of brake assembly 75 it is necessary for rod 78 to have a frictional surface such as threads whereas brake assembly 100 works most efficiently on a slick or smooth surface. I

Through the novel use of the present braking mechanisms 75 and 100 it will be noted that should for any reason a power failure occur and vacuum or other propelling force not be available, panel 12 can still be raised manually by pushing it upwardly and out of the way. Both braking mechanisms afford upward and downward movement along rod 78 at all times by manipulation of knob 51 yet provide a fail safe unit when knob 51 is moved to a neutral position. Even in the event of a power failure, panel 12 can still be moved downwardly by pulling down on knob 51 which will release braking mechanisms 75 and 100 whereby panel 12 as well as piston head 33 can be pulled downwardly.

While a particular three-way spool valve assembly 50 has been described for use in conjunction with the present vacuum operated assembly, it should be understood that any three-way valve mechanism operable by means of a vacuum or positive fluid pressure source can be employed as long as the movement of a valving mechanism affords means to move linkage to operate a rod engaging brake mechanism. As indicated, the present unit is operable either by vacuum or by positive pressure. However, the use of vacuum obviates possible contamination of otherwise sterile air by air or other fluid propelling gas entering the atmosphere of a recovery or similar type room. Where positive pressure is employed the positioning of spool 53 will be reversed with respect to the raising and lowering of panel 12.

It will thus be seen that there is now provided a medical service unit which is safe to operate even in conjunction with the use of flammable anesthetics. The present service unit is easy to operate and is powered by a readily available fluid power source. Any number of medical accessories including an anesthesiology machine can be safely placed at a desired height while being manipulated. Further even though the service unit is power driven, few moving parts are involved thus reducing maintenance and sterility problems.

Others may practice the invention in any of the numerous ways which will be suggested by this disclosure to one skilled in the art by employing one or more of the novel features disclosed or equivalents thereof. All such practice of the invention is considered to be a part hereof provided it falls within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A medical service unit adapted to be supported from the ceiling of a room and operated without manual effort, said unit connected to the usual fluid, medical piped utilities including at least one fluid operating force comprising fluid powered means to effect a reciprocating movement, a first panel member enclosing said fluid powered means, means to attach said fluid powered means to the ceiling, a second panel member telescoping with respect to said first panel member and connected to said fluid powered means for reciprocating movement, con trol means carried by said second panel member, fluid lines for interconnection with one said fluid piped utility, said control means and said fluid powered means and brake means carried by said second panel member and operable in response to said control means, said fluid powered means being the sole support of said second panel from said ceiling during reciprocating movement of said second panel.

2. The medical service unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluid powered means is a piston head and rod enclosed in a cylinder.

3. The medical service unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said control means is a valving member of the spool-type having an upward, downward and neutral position.

4. The medical service unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said brake means includes a rod member disposed along the path of said second panel member.

5. A medical service unit adapted to be supported from the ceiling of a room and operated without manual effort, said unit connected to the usual fluid medical piped utili ties including at least one fluid operating force comprising a cylinder with a piston head for reciprocating movement within said cylinder, piston rod secured to said piston head and movable therewith, a first panel member enclosing said cylinder, means to attach said first panel member and said cylinder to the ceiling, a second panel member telescoping with respect to said first panel member and operatively connected to said piston rod, a valving member carried by said second panel member, fluid lines for interconnection with one said fluid piped utility, said valve member and said cylinder to move said piston head in a reciprocating manner by means of said valve member, a rod member disposed along the path of travel of said second panel member, a brake member carried by said second panel member for engagement and disengagement with said rod member and operable by means of said valving member, said fluid operating force being the sole means of support of said second panel from said ceiling during reciprocating movement of said second panel.

6. The medical service unit as defined in claim 5 further including an anethesiology mechanism carried by said inner panel member and suspended from the bottom thereof when said service unit is suspended from a ceiling.

7. The medical service unit as defined in claim 6 further including a double-acting pivot comprising a post carried by said anethesiology mechanism pivotally attached to one end of a bar member and said bar member piovtally mounted on said second panel member.

8. A medical service unit adapted to be suspended from the ceiling of a room and operated without manual effort, said unit connected to at least a vacuum source comprising a vacuum operated cylinder with a piston head and a piston rod extending outwardly and downwardly from said cylinder, an outer panel member enclosing said cylinder, means to attach said outer panel and said cylinder to a ceiling, an inner panel member telescoping with respect to said outer member and operatively connected to said piston rod, a valving member carried by said inner panel member, vacuum lines interconnecting said vacuum source, said valving member and said cylinder to move said piston head in a vertical manner by means of said valving member, a rod member vertically disposed along the path of said inner member, and a brake member carried by said inner panel member for engagement and disengagement with said rod member and operable by means of said valving member, said vacuum operated cylinder with said piston head and rod being the sole means of support of said inner panel from said ceiling during telescoping movement of said inner panel.

9. The medical service unit as defined in claim 8 wherein said valving member is of the spool type.

10. The medical service unit as defined in claim 8 including linkage operable simultaneously with said valving member to release said brake member.

11. The medical service unit as defined in claim 8 further including vacuum, oxygen and electrical lines connected to respective sources in the ceiling at one end of said service unit and to vacuum and oxygen outlets carried by said inner panel member at the other end.

12. A medical service unit adapted to be suspended from the ceiling of a room and operated without manual effort, said unit connected to at least a vacuum source comprising a vacuum operated cylinder with a piston head and a piston rod extending outwardly and downwardly from said cylinder, an outer panel member enclosing said cylinder, means to attach said outer panel and said cylinder to a ceiling, an inner panel member telescoping with respect to said outer member and operatively connected to said piston rod, a valving member carried by said inner panel member, vacuum lines interconnecting said vacuum source, said valving member and said cylinder to move said piston head in a vertical manner by means of said valving member, a rod member vertically disposed along the path of said inner member and a brake member carried by said inner panel member including means to automatically grip said rod when no downward force is exerted thereon, said vacuum operated cylinder with said piston head and rod being the sole means of support of said inner panel from said ceiling during telescoping movement of said inner panel.

13. The medical service unit as defined in claim 12 wherein said brake member is carried by said inner panel member by means of an upwardly extending bar.

14. The medical service unit as defined in claim 12 wherein said brake member includes a straight wall portion and a frusto-conical portion adapted to accommodate said rod therethrough, ball members urged between said frusto-conical section and said rod by biasing means, and means to release Said ball members from frictional engagement between said rod and said frusto-conical section.

15. A medical service unit as defined in claim 12 wherein said brake member includes a collar adapted to fit over said rod, a braided wire portion extending upwardly from said collar and braided in a manner to frictionally engage said rod when no external force is exerted thereupon and means to expand said wire towards said collar.

16. A medical service unit adapted to be supported from the ceiling of a room and connected to the usual fluid, medical piped utilities and operated without manual effort comprising a cylinder with a piston head for reciprocating movement within said cylinder, a piston rod secured to said piston head and movable therewith, means to attach said cylinder to the ceiling, a panel member operatively connected to said piston rod, a valving member carried by said panel member, fluid lines in connection with said fluid piped utility, said valve means and said cylinder to move said piston head in a reciprocating manner by means of said valve member, a rod member disposed along the path of said panel member and a brake member carried by said panel member for engagement and disengagement with said rod member and operable by means of said valving member, said cylinder with said piston head and rod being the sole means of support of said panel member from said ceiling during reciprocating movement of said panel.

17. The medical service unit as defined in claim 16 wherein said fluid piped utility is vacuum.

18. The medical service unit as defined in claim 16 wherein said brake member includes means to grip said rod member when no downward force is exerted thereon.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,004,461 9/1911 Nuhring 137-355.16 XR 2,372,196 3/ 1945 Grime 9223 XR 3,032,057 5/1962 Mays 137355.l6 3,203,513 8/1965 Allen 9226 XR 3,213,877 10/1965 May et al 137-355.16 3,216,446 11/1965 Schmiel 137596 3,285,282 11/1966 Martin 137596 3,314,335 4/1967 Gulick 92-26 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,022,299 12/ 1952 France.

SAMUEL SCOTT, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,431,937 March 11, 1965 Raymond C. Hettlinger et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 12 after "unit of cancel "the". Column 3, line 23, "communications" should read communication line 48, "a" should read as Column 4, line 48, "alightly" should read slight Column 6, line 28, after "attach insert said first panel member and Colum 7, line 6, piovtally" should read pivotally Column 8, line 27, "means should read member Signed and sealed this 31st day of March 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, J]

Commissioner of Patent:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Attesting Officer 

